Imino-azacyclopentanepolyol

ABSTRACT

PCT No. PCT/NL93/00070 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 9, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 9, 1995 PCT Filed Mar. 25, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO93/20050 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 14, 1993.The invention relates to novel bis-iminoazacyclo pentane polyols according to the formula given below, wherein R1=H, alkyl or R4, whereby R4 is OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl and R2 and R3 are independently of one another, OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl which are obtainable by reaction of succinonitrile with a hydroxyalkylamine, to polyols obtained on the basis of such compounds, in which a polyether, a polyester or a vinylpolymer or combinations thereof are also incorporated, and to polymers in which said polyols are incorporated. Polyurethane foam in which 1-(hydroxyethyl)-2,5-bis-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-azacyclopentane is incorporated shows a higher mechanical strength and reduced inflammability, whilst the formulation has an increased reactivity.

This application is a 371 of PCT/NL 93/00070 filed Mar. 26, 1993.

The invention relates to imino-azacyclopentanepolyols. Polyols of this type are novel. Polyols based on azacyclic compounds are known and are used, inter alia, as crosslinking agents or chain extenders in polymers to be produced by means of a polycondensation reaction, such as polyurethane, RIM nylon and thermosetting resins. In this context, the nitrogen-containing polyols offer the advantage of flame retardancy.

The imino-azacyclopentanepolyol according to the invention has the general formula ##STR2## wherein R¹ =H, alkyl or R⁴, whereby R⁴ is OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl and

R² and R³ are independently of one another, OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl.

Mixtures of imino-azacyclopentanepolyols according to the above formula also fall under the invention. For use as a crosslinking agent, R¹ is preferably R⁴.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, R¹ is H, C₁ -C₆ alkyl or phenyl.

Preferably, R², R³ and/or R⁴ are chosen such that they have a hydrocarbon chain with a number of carbon atoms in the chain of between 1 and 12 and more preferably between 2 and 6. Long chains can increase the inflammability.

Preferred hydroxyalkyl groups are hydroxyalkyl groups derived from linear alkanes, because steric hindrance can easily occur in the case of branched hydrocarbons and the formation of a triol consequently becomes difficult. Specifically, the α atom, and in particular the α and β atoms, with respect to the nitrogen atom are unsubstituted.

Examples of suitable hydroxyalkyl chains are 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-butyl, 4-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 5-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 6-hydroxy-n-hexyl, 6-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexyl and ω-hydroxy-dodecyl. 2-Hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxy-propyl or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl is preferably used. Examples of hydroxyaryl and hydroxyaralkyl chains are p-hydroxy-phenyl, p-hydroxy-benzyl, p-hydroxyethylbenzyl, p-hydroxy-methylbenzyl, 5-hydroxy-3-phenylpentyl and 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-hexyl.

Polyol derivatives (i.e. hydroxy functional oligomers or polymers) obtained with the polyols according to Formula (1) as a starting product also constitute part of the invention. Such a polyol comprises a polyether, a polyester or a vinyl polymer or combinations thereof.

Polyol derivatives of this type can be obtained using methods known per se. For example, the polyetherpolyols can be obtained by catalytic polycondensation of an alkylene oxide or a mixture of alkylene oxides in the presence of the polyol according to Formula (1).

Polyester-polyols can be prepared, for example, by reaction of the polyol according to Formula (1) with lactones, a polycarboxylic acid or the corresponding anhydride, acid chloride or ester. The polyesters can be saturated or (ethylenically) unsaturated.

One method of preparation for vinylpolymer-containing polyols is, for example, the in situ free radical polymerisation of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a mixture of monomers in the polyol according to Formula (1). Suitable monomers are, for example, vinyl-aromatic monomers, such as, for example, styrene, and acrylic monomers, such as, for example, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid.

An extensive list of suitable polyethers, polyesters and vinyl polymers is to be found, inter alia, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,884 and the references cited therein.

Polymers in which the polyols according to Formula (1) or the polyols obtained from the polyols according to Formula (1) are incorporated and in which a polyether, a polyester or a vinyl polymer or combinations thereof are also incorporated constitute a further part of the invention.

Polymers of this type are preferably polymers which are obtained by means of a polycondensation reaction and comprise, inter alia, the thermoplastic polyesters, polyamides, in particular polyamides which can be obtained by means of anionic polymerisation of lactams, for example RIM nylons, and thermosetting resins, for example melamine formaldehyde, phenolic resins, thermosetting polyesters, and polyurethanes. Preferably, polymers of this type contain 0.01 to 20 % by weight of the polyols according to the invention, and even more preferentially 0.1 to 15% by weight.

The polymer compositions according to the invention can, if desired, also contain the customary additives, for example dyes, pigments, stabilisers, fillers, flame retardants, etc. and can be used for foams, fibres, laminates, coatings, glues as well as mouldings.

Use in foams, in particular polyurethane foam, and in a thermosetting resin composition offers particular advantages because the compound according to the invention also shows a catalytic effect on the curing reaction.

The polyol according to Formula (1) can be obtained by reaction of succinonitrile with hydroxylamine, a hydroxyalkylamine, a hydroxyarylamine or hydroxyaralkylamine, which is represented by the formula R--NH₂, in which R has the meaning of R², R³ and/or R⁴ (see above) and is referred to below by the abbreviation `hydroxyamine`. If desired, mixtures of these hydroxyamines can also be used.

To this end, a melt of succinonitrile is added to the dried hydroxyamine at elevated temperature, for example about 120° C., and the reaction mixture is then allowed to react for some time (1-20 hours). After separating off any hydroxyamine still present, for example by distillation under reduced pressure, a mixture of the diol and the triol is obtained, the composition of which is highly dependent on the succinonitrile:hydroxyamine ratio chosen and the reaction time. An excess of hydroxyamine, for example in a ratio to succinonitrile of 3.4:1, yields virtually only a triol after 7 hours, whereas in the case of a ratio of 2.4:1 mainly diol is formed after 1 hour. In the latter case, R⁴ is a hydrogen atom.

Such a diol can, if desired, be modified in a manner known per se by allowing it to react with, for example, benzylamine, ethylamine, hydroxylamine or other aminecontaining compounds, which as a rule contain 1-12 carbon atoms and preferably 2-6 carbon atoms. By this reaction R⁴ changes from being a hydrogen atom into the modifier compound.

It is also possible to start the reaction with a first hydroxyamine compound and after some time to add a second compound and to continue the reaction. In this way, the first hydroxyamine added will preferentially form R² and/or R³ and the hydroxyamine added as second hydroxyamine will form the residual R² and/or R³ and specifically R⁴.

As a rule it is not necessary to use the polyol according to the invention in pure form; preferably a mixture which has a purity of more than 50%, in particular more than 80%, in an organic solvent is used.

Those skilled in the art will know how to choose the optimum reaction conditions required in order to obtain the diol, the triol or a mixture thereof, depending on the starting material. In order to shorten the reaction time, those skilled in the art will also, if desired, make use of catalysts, preferably Lewis acids, for example zinc chloride or acetates, for example zinc acetate, manganese acetate, cobalt acetate or zinc acetate.

The crude reaction product can be purified by recrystallisation from, for example, chloroform, the diol preferentially remaining behind in the solvent and the triol being obtained in solid form.

Depending on the hydroxyamine chosen, those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the preparation conditions and purification. The conditions indicated above are illustrative for the case where R is 2-hydroxy-ethyl.

Too long a reaction time has the disadvantage that a bis-oxazoline can be formed as by-product. This formation is partly dependent on the deficiency or excess of hydroxyamine which may be present. For example, if the starting materials used are hydroxyethylamine and succinonitrile, 2,2'-ethylene-bis-(2-oxazoline) can be formed.

The invention is now illustrated with the aid of the following examples and comparative examples, without, however, being restricted thereto.

EXAMPLE I

78.3 g of molten succinonitrile were added, over a period of 30 minutes, at 120° C., with stirring, to 203.3 grams of ethanolamine, which had been pre-dried over a molecular sieve (3 Å). The reaction was carried out in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. After a reaction time of 7 hours at 120° C., the free ethanolamine still present was distilled off under reduced pressure, 5 mmHg, at 60° C. The crude reaction product crystallised on cooling; m.p. 80° C. The triol formed was separated off by recrystallisation from chloroform, the diol remaining behind in the mother liquor and being obtained therefrom by evaporation.

During the reaction the conversion of the reactants was followed with the aid of ¹ H NMR. It was found that after a reaction time of 30 minutes virtually all of the succinonitrile had reacted and a mixture of the diol and the triol had formed, with a selectivity of about 30% for the triol. After a further 6 hours, the selectivity for the triol had increased to 90%.

EXAMPLE II

Example I was repeated, but now using 118 g of ethanolamine (1.96 mol) and 64 g of succinonitrile (0.8 mol). After a reaction time of 1 hour at 120° C. the synthesis was stopped. After distilling off the ethanolamine, the reaction product was recrystallised from chloroform. It was possible to separate off the triol. Evaporation of the mother liquor yielded the diol.

¹ H NMR analysis of the reaction mixture after a reaction time of 1 hour yielded 4 mol % of succinonitrile, 32 mol % of ethanolamine, 39 mol % of diol and 25 mol % of triol.

EXAMPLES III-V AND COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENT A

The 1-(hydroxyethyl)-2,5-bis-(2-hydroxyethylimino)azacyclopentane (triol HHAC) from Example I was used in the preparation of a polyurethane rigid foam.

The components used are shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1     ______________________________________     Overview of the materials used in PUR rigid foam     Function     Raw material   Producer     ______________________________________     polyol*      Voranol RH360 ®                                 DOW     polyol       triol HHAC     blowing agent                  water     blowing agent                  freon R11 ®     surfactant   DC193 ®    DOW Corning     isocyanate     pol. MDI (ISO)                  Mondur 44V20 ®                                 Bayer     catalyst (DBTL)                  dibutyltin     Merck                  dilaurate     catalyst     TEDA L 33 ®                                 Tosoh     ______________________________________

The composition of the foam formulations with the processing characteristics are shown in Table 2.

The cream time is the time which elapses after addition of the isocyanate before a visible reaction takes place.

The rise time is the time at which the foam has reached its maximum height.

The mechanical properties and the inflammability were also determined for the product obtained in Example V, in comparison with Experiment A. The results are given in Table 3. The density of the foam was determined in accordance with ISO 845. The compressive strength (a) at 10% compression was determined in accordance with ASTM D 1621.

The LOI (limiting oxygen index) was determined in accordance with ISO 4589.

                  TABLE 2     ______________________________________     Composition of PUR rigid foam formulation and     processing and physical characteristics of the foam     Composition     (parts by wt.)  A       III     IV    V     ______________________________________     Voranol RH 360 ®                     100     85      85    77.5     triol HHAC      --      15      15    22.5     H.sub.2 O       1       1       1     1     R11             40      40      40    40     DC 193 ®    2       2       2     2     ISO (II = 105)  105     119.3   119.3 126.3     DBTL            0.1     0.1     --    0.05     TEDA L 33 ® 2       2       --    1     Processing characteristics     cream time (s)  24      10      15    11     rise time (s)   132     20      120   55     ______________________________________

                  TABLE 3     ______________________________________     Composition of PUR rigid foam formulation and     processing and physical characteristics of the foam     Composition     (parts by wt.)   A          V     ______________________________________     Mechanical properties     σ (kPa)    119.0 ± 6.9                                 125.4 ± 4.5     Modulus of elasticity                      2.75 ± 0.15                                 2.87 ± 0.15     (10% compression) (MPa)     Flammability     characteristics     LOI (%)          18.5       19.5     ______________________________________

The density of all foams is 26.9±1 kg/m³. It is found that the presence of the triol has a substantially accelerating influence on the rate of reaction. The mechanical properties and the flame-extinguishing characteristics are found to be improved.

The beneficial effect on both the preparation and the characteristics of a polymer when the polyol of the invention is incorporated therein can be seen from the above experiments.

In this context it must be pointed out that a further optimisation is possible by modification of the polyol with, inter alia, polyether and/or polyester groups etc. 

We claim:
 1. A polyol represented by the formula ##STR3## wherein R¹ represents H, phenyl, an alkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C atoms, and wherein R² and R³, independently of one another, represent OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, and wherein R¹ is not H when both R² and R³ represent OH.
 2. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C atoms, or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C atoms.
 3. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is H, C₁ -C₆ alkyl, or phenyl.
 4. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R², R³ and R⁴ are individually selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-butyl, 4-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 5-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 6-hydroxy-n-hexyl, 6-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexyl and ω-hydroxydodecyl.
 5. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹ represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 6. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R² represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 7. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R³ represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 8. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹, R², and R³ each represent a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 9. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 10. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R² is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 11. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R³ is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 12. A polyol according to claim 1, wherein R¹, R², and R³ each represent a hydroxyalkyl group derived from a linear alkane.
 13. A curable composition for producing a polyurethane containing a catalytically and curing effective amount of a polyol represented by the formula: ##STR4## wherein R¹ represents H, phenyl, an alkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C atoms,R² and R³, independently of one another, represents OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, and R¹ is not H when both R² and R³ represent OH.
 14. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R¹ is OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms.
 15. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R² represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 16. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R³ represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 17. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R¹ represents a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 18. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R¹, R², and R³ each represent a hydroxyalkyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms.
 19. A curable composition according to claim 13, wherein R¹ is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 20. A polyol according to claim 13, wherein R² is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 21. A polyol according to claim 13, wherein R³ is 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or 4-hydroxy-n-butyl.
 22. A polyol according to claim 13 wherein R¹, R², and R³ each represent a hydroxyalkyl group derived from a linear alkane.
 23. A polyol according to claim 13, wherein R¹, R² and R³ are individually selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-butyl, 4-hydroxy-n-butyl, 3-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 5-hydroxy-n-pentyl, 6-hydroxy-n-hexyl, 6-hydroxy-2-ethyl-hexyl and ω-hydroxy-dodecyl.
 24. A polyol represented by the formula ##STR5## wherein R¹ represents H, phenyl, an alkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, OH, a hydroxyalkyl having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C atoms, andR² and R³, independently of one another, represent OH, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, a hydroxyaryl group having 1-12 C-atoms or a hydroxyaralkyl group having 1-12 C-atoms, R¹ is not H when both R² and R³ represent OH, and either (i) the alpha carbon atom of at least one of R¹, R², and R³ is unsubstituted, said alpha atom being with respect to the nitrogen atom to which each of R¹, R², and R³ is respectively bonded, or (ii) the alpha carbon atom and the beta carbon atom of at least one of R¹, R², and R³ are each unsubstituted, said alpha carbon atom and said beta carbon atom being with respect to the nitrogen atom to which each of R¹, R², and R³ is respectively bonded. 